A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Petersburg vs. Chicago for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Chicago?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Chicago can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Saint Petersburg or Chicago?

Saint Petersburg

Located at the base of the Tampa Bay peninsula of Florida, Saint Petersburg is a city known for its pleasant weather, coastal activities, and downtown arts scene. Nicknamed the "Sunshine City," Saint Petersburg is also a popular location for golfing, boating, fishing and beachgoing in addition to the usual entertainment options to be found in a thriving city.

Chicago

Located in the Midwest, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. It has a population of almost 3 million and a metropolitan area that covers more than 10,000 square kilometers. It is also a hub for music, comedy and theater. It's skyline is beautiful with modern skyscrapers and Lake Michigan as a backdrop. It is easy to stay entertained in Chicago for weeks. There are world class museums, upscale or eclectic shopping opportunities, and impressive architecture.

Which city is cheaper, Chicago or Saint Petersburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $163, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $221. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saint Petersburg and Chicago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $101
    Chicago $152
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $202
    Chicago $304
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Chicago

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Chicago? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Saint Petersburg


Hotels in Chicago


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Saint Petersburg Hotel Prices and Chicago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $38
    Chicago $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Petersburg

Also for Saint Petersburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryCar: $80
  • Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryVan: $39
  • Departure Private Transfer St. Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport LED by Business Car: $61
  • Private Airport Transfer: from St Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $28
  • Private Transfer from Peterhof Palace to St. Petersburg City Center: $36
  • Private Transfer from St. Petersburg City Center to Peterhof Palace: $37
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED by Business Car: $63
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Car: $103
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Van: $89
  • St Petersburg Departure Private Transfers from St Petersburg City to Airport LED: $84
  • St Petersburg Transfer from city hotels or Cruise port to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $68
  • St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) to hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $36

Typical Local Transportation prices in Chicago

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:


  • Parking
    $19
  • Taxi Ride
    $10
  • Taxi from Airport
    $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:

  • Private Sedan Transfer between ORD and Indianapolis IN: $587
  • Private SUV Transfer Between O'Hare airport & Downtown Madison WI: $427
  • Private Sedan Transfer Between O'Hare airport & Downtown Madison WI: $426
  • Departure Private Transfer Chicago to O'Hare Airport ORD in a Minibus: $333
  • Arrival Private Transfer Chicago O'Hare Airport to Chicago City by Minibus: $333
  • Private SUV Transfer Between O'Hare airport & Downtown Milwaukee WI: $298
  • Transfer to Chicago Premium Outlets: $288
  • Private Sedan Transfer Between O'Hare airport & Downtown Milwaukee WI: $266
  • Chicago O'Hare Private Ground Airport/Hotel Transfer - Round-Trip: $256
  • Chicago Midway Airport/Hotel Round Trip Private Ground Transfer: $256
  • Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $184
  • Chicago Airport Transfer by Private Sedan: $170

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Chicago?

Prices for flights to both Chicago and Saint Petersburg change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint Petersburg $39
    Chicago $37
Typical Food prices in Saint Petersburg

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saint Petersburg:


  • Burger Dinner (for 2)
    $20
  • Indian Food Dinner (for 2)
    $37
  • Gelato (for 2)
    $8.00
  • Breakfast at Piper's Patio (for 2)
    $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Petersburg

For Saint Petersburg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Enjoy Russian Delicacies in St Petersburg: Cooking Demo and Meal with a Local: $80
  • Private Dining: Russian dinner in a traditional St. Petersburg apartment: $91
  • Cooking Class and a Dinner with a Local Family (8 people max): $92
  • Off-the-tourist Path Food Tour: $103
  • Local Market Tour and Cooking Demo with a Homemade Russian Meal in St Petersburg: $107
  • Borscht and cabbage pie cooking class and dinner for small private groups: $109
  • FOOD TOUR. St.Petersburg: $150
  • Private Cooking Class: Learn the secrets of Borsch and Beef Stroganoff: $166
  • Private Cooking Class: Russian Blini with Red Caviar and Shchi soup: $179
  • Private Cooking Class: Russian Shchi soup and Blini with Red Caviar: $187
  • Private Cooking Class: Hands-on Siberian Pelmeni Making Workshop: $188
  • Private Cooking Class: Siberian Pelmeni, Stolichny salad and Borsch: $212

Typical Food prices in Chicago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:


  • Dinner for 1
    $24
  • Dinner for 3
    $118

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chicago

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.

  • Traveling Spoon Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Private Online Cooking Class: $27
  • Learn to Make Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza with a Local: $49
  • Lonely Planet Experiences: River North Historical Food Tour: $61
  • Private Fusion Cooking Class in Downtown Chicago: $64
  • Best in Chow: Chicago River North Food Tour: $64
  • Signature Food Tour at Chicago's Navy Pier: $64
  • Skip the Line: Tommy Gun's Garage Dinner and Show Ticket: $67
  • Small-Group Chicago Food Tour: Gold Coast and Old Town: $75
  • Best of Chicago Tour Including a Deep-Dish Pizza: $75
  • River North Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Chicago's Wicker Park Food Tour: $75
  • Private Indian-Mexican Fusion Cooking Class with a Modern Cook: $78

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $11
    Chicago $34

Tours and Activities in Saint Petersburg

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Petersburg.

  • 2-Day Small-Group Visa-Free Tour - Top Highlights of St Petersburg: $20
  • 1.5-Hours Saint Petersburg's Metro Tour Hidden Treasures: $25
  • Mini-Group 2-Day Shore Excursion of St Petersburg Must-Sees and Boat Cruise: $25
  • Saint Petersburg Drawbridges Tour: $41
  • Half Day Walking Tour Well Courtyards Tour in Saint Petersburg: $44
  • Guided Tour Peter and Paul Fortress, Cathedral and Prison: $56
  • Private Tours: $64
  • Half Day Bike City Tour in Saint Petersburg: $75
  • Private Tour of "Erarta" Galleries: $76
  • St Petersburg Communist walking tour + Museum of Russian political history: $77
  • Evening River and Canal Cruise Visas Included: $86
  • Revolutionary Petersburg City Tour: $86

Typical Entertainment prices in Chicago

Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Sears Tower (family of 4)
    $102
  • Aquarium for 4
    $118
  • Water Taxi (family of 4)
    $22
  • IMAX Movie for Two
    $35
  • Shakespeare Play (2)
    $116
  • Art Institute (2)
    $36
  • U-Boat Tour (2)
    $8.00

Tours and Activities in Chicago

Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Hours Chicago Sightseeing Tour - Luxury Private Stretch Limo / 8 Passengers: $250
  • 2-Hour Chicago City Lights and Skyline Segway Tour: $76
  • 2-Hour Chicago Fireworks Segway Tour: $76
  • 2-Hour Chicago Lakefront and Museum Campus Segway Tour: $73
  • 2-Hour Haunted Segway Tour of Chicago: $76
  • 2-Hour History of Chicago Architecture and Art Segway Tour: $75
  • 3 Hours Chicago Sightseeing Tour - Luxury Private SUV, ALL Inclusive: $392
  • 4 Hours Chicago Sightseeing Tour - Luxury Private SUV, ALL Inclusive: $220
  • 4 Hours Chicago Sightseeing Tour - Luxury Private Sedan: $215
  • 4 Hours Chicago Sightseeing Tour - Luxury Private Stretch Limousine/8 passengers: $728
  • A Most Magnificent Mile Shopping and Sightseeing Tour: $40
  • A Storied Neighborhood: Dance the dialectic with Bill Ayers on an audio tour: $5.00

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Free Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Bucket List: The Best Places to See, and The Best Museums in Chicago.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $33
    Chicago $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:

  • Haunted Chicago Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $25
  • Walking tour to Chicago dive bars: $41
  • Chicago Barrel Bus Craft Distillery Tour: $90
  • Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $90
  • Ultimate Girl's Night Out in Sparkling Wine, Photo Shoot, Burlesque: $900

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Petersburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Petersburg and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago than you might in Saint Petersburg.


When is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg or Chicago?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Chicago in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Chicago. Also, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally a little warmer than Chicago. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 82°F (28°C), and Chicago stays around 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chicago. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Chicago. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chicago. Saint Petersburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Chicago. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 82°F (28°C) 
    Chicago 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Chicago in the Autumn?

Both Chicago and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Chicago for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Chicago in the autumn. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 76°F (24°C) in October, and Chicago stays around 56°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Chicago. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 76°F (24°C) 
    Chicago 56°F (14°C)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Chicago in the Winter?

Both Chicago and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chicago in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Chicago can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January are around 59°F (15°C), and Chicago is about 25°F (-4°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in January than Chicago. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg 59°F (15°C) 
    Chicago 25°F (-4°C)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Chicago in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Chicago. Furthermore, most visitors come to Chicago for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Chicago. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 73°F (23°C), and Chicago stays around 52°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chicago this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

Chicago receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Chicago. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 73°F (23°C) 
    Chicago 52°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Chicago and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Chicago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 25°F (-4°C) 1.9 inches (47 mm)
Feb 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 29°F (-2°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)
Mar 67°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 41°F (5°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Apr 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 52°F (11°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
May 78°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 63°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Jun 82°F (28°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm) 76°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Oct 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 56°F (14°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Nov 69°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 44°F (7°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Dec 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 31°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)


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Saint Petersburg vs. Chicago Travel Comparison

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